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Question

A ray of light passes from air (\( n = 1 \)) to water (\( n = 1.33 \)) at an angle of incidence of \(
60^\circ \). What is the angle of refraction?

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Explanation

**Prism formula** for small A, δ_m≈(n-1)A, for 30°, n=1.6, δ_m≈0.6×30°=18°, approximate, exact using sin formula. For 45°, n=1.6, sin[(45+δ_m)/2]=1.6×sin22.5°=1.6×0.3827=0.6123, (45+δ_m)/2=37.8°, δ_m=30.6°, showing deviation increases with A and n. Snell’s law: n₁ sin i = n₂ sin r . Air ( n₁ = 1 ), water ( n₂ = 1.33 ), i = 60° . 1 × sin 60° = 1.33 × sin r . sin 60° = 0.866 ⇒ 0.866 = 1.33 sin r ⇒ sin r = (0.866/1.33) ≈ 0.651 . r = sin⁻¹(0.651) ≈ 40.6° . Substituting values gives 41°, which matches expected image position and magnification from mirror/lens formula 1/f = 1/v

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